Introduction to the History & Art of Bonsai The art of Bonsai as we know it, traces back almost 2000 yrs. From ancient paintings and manuscripts, we know that “artistic” container trees were being cultivated by scholars, monks and the noble classes in China around 600 AD; however, many scholars feel that bonsai, or at least “trees in pots”, were being grown in China as far back as 500 or...